Preview

Compare Harold Macmillan, Nelson Mandela and Hendrik Verwoed's Interpretations of Apartheid. What Course of Action Does Mandela Advise Against Apartheid?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
328 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare Harold Macmillan, Nelson Mandela and Hendrik Verwoed's Interpretations of Apartheid. What Course of Action Does Mandela Advise Against Apartheid?
Compare Harold MacMillan, Nelson Mandela and Hendrik Verwoed's interpretations of Apartheid. What course of action does Mandela advise against Apartheid?

In MacMillan speech, the wind of change, he states that the Apartheid policy that the South African government had pursued was dangerous, threatening and would only cause bloodshed (MacMillan, 1972: 486). He also stated that the South African government would not last for ever; the end was unpredictable and went against the wind of change (MacMillan, 1972: 486).
Verwoerd argued that Apartheid was a dominating regime. It was for the Afrikaners to assert their authority and he interpreted it as segregation which allowed separate races to develop their own nationalism and self determination (Verwoerd, 1966: 337). Verwoerd was for Apartheid and believed it was for the best for South Africa.
Mandela was against the South African Government at that time and did not approve of the Apartheid system. He felt strongly about what was happening in South Africa and was will to do anything in his power to fight for freedom. He responded to this segregation based on racism, in a way that he explained it as how the people felt about the country, making the people no longer feel South African. Mandela at that time was a strong supporter of Ghandhi and therefore he showed political resistance through non violent methods, however later on he eventually started to use violent methods when previous forms did not succeed (Mandela, 1991: 116).
Mandela helped create Umkhonto we Sizwe, meaning spear of the nation, which is the course of action they took to go against Apartheid (Mandela, 1991: 116). It was linked to the African National Congress. Umkhonto we Sizwe was a non violence organization however when the government started to use violence, Umkhonto we Sizwe had no other option but to reply with Violence (Mandela, 1991: 117). The people of Umkhonto we Sizwe were defined as terrorists; however they were merely freedom

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The years somewhere around 1951 and 1960 were difficult times, both for South Africa and for the ANC. More youthful anti-apartheid activists, including Mandela, were going to the perspective that peaceful exhibits against apartheid did not work, since they permitted the South African government to react with violence against Africans. In spite of the fact that Mandela was prepared to attempt each technique to get rid of apartheid peacefully, he started to feel that peaceful resistance would not change conditions at…

    • 82 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    GKE Task 2

    • 1554 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Nelson Mandela was a visionary freedom fighter who brought about the end of an apartheid society and solidified the democratic elections of presidents by majority rule to South Africa. Born in 1918, Mandela’s early introduction to leadership in the Thembu tribe molded his democratic beliefs ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). His youth found him exposed to Western culture which ultimately led him to abandon the Thembu culture and relocate to Johannesburg ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). It was during his early years in Johannesburg that he explored the many political philosophies that surrounded him. It was also during this time that Mandela began thoughtful observation and contemplation of the struggles of the black men and women in South Africa. Mandela came to the conclusion, “It was not lack of ability that limited my people, but lack of opportunity” (Sohail, 2005). His profound dissatisfaction with the apartheid society and the oppression of his people eventually led him to join the African National Congress or ANC in 1944 ("Nelson Mandela," 2009).…

    • 1554 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cesar Chavez and Nelson Mandela were Human Right fighters, and Cesar Chavez was also trying to make farm worker get higher wages and get payed better. Becasue they weren’t getting paid enough for being a farmworkers.You go through tough times being a farmworker and not getting payed enough money. Nelson Mandela went to prison for fighting for people’s Pro-Apartheid . Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18 ,1918 in Africa. When Nelson Mandela was born his name was Rolihlahla Mandela it wasn’t Nelson Mandela.…

    • 1456 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dbq On African Americans

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages

    He believed that Government policy had created an atmosphere in which “violence by the African people had become inevitable” and that “unless reasonable leadership was given…to control the feelings of [the]people”, “there would be outbreaks of terrorism which would produce…hostility between the various races.” No other way was open to the African people, to fight “in their struggle against the principle of White Supremacy.” He refused to acknowledge the decree that the ANC was an “unlawful organization” and said the acceptance of such a decree would be “equivalent to accepting the silencing of the Africans for all time”. Mandela was not a violent man and did not resort to violence lightly, but it seemed to be the only way to accomplish the ANC’s goals, as “all lawful modes of expressing opposition to this principle had been closed by legislation.” Mandela did not want an “international war and tried to avoid it to the last minute”, but also stated that his ideals were “worth dying for”. It was degrading for the African people to be thought of as a “separate breed” and “the fight against poverty and lack of human dignity” “was real and not imaginary.” To say differently was demeaning. The enforcement of apartheid lead to terrible conditions for blacks and “to a breakdown in moral standards” resulting in “growing violence.” Mandela and the ANC leaders were attracted to communism for the simple fact that “for decades [the] communists were the only political group in South Africa who were prepared to treat Africans and human beings and their…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Another inspiration for the anti-Apartheid movement was the Sharpeville Massacre, where South African police killed 69 peaceful protesters . This not only inspired protesters in South Africa but civil rights activists in the United States as well. Throughout all of the unrest in South Africa, African Americans and native South Africans shared a close bond. The Sharpeville Massacre was a great influence on Americans. However, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela were very important leaders in both of their respective countries and civil rights movements.…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He co-founded and became the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation") in 1961 (Nelson Mandela Biography: bio.com). This organization was aimed at forcing the South African governments to recognize the rights of black people in the country (Nelson Mandela: history.com). Another organization that Mandela was a big part of when involved in politics was the ANC Youth League. The aim of this was to excite the youth to join the rest of the blacks in fighting against the segregation in the country (UMkhonto WeSizwe). Nelson Mandela worked for twenty years with nonviolent protesting against the South African government and its racist policies (Biography of Nelson Mandela). After all of his accomplishments, Mandela's life was a wild rollercoaster of positives and…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Early in his address, Mandela proposes, “To my compatriots, I have no hesitation in saying that each one of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa tress of the bushveld.”(¶ 05) By referring to the earth, Mandela reminds South Africans that all people are created equal and deserve happiness and prosperity. His word ‘equality’ is very effective because before his presidential term, Mandela was arrested for his anti-apartheid activity. As a direct result, he ended up spending twenty-seven years in prison. Furthermore, Nelson Mandela frequently uses images to remind South Africans of the unity and the need for peace. “Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must …reinforce humanity’s belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.” (¶ 03) Mandela uses imagery to support his idea and to reveal the importance of each South African’s daily action and by showing what South Africa could become. Unity and peace are further highlighted in Mandela’s quote, “We succeeded to take our last steps to freedom in conditions of relative peace. We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace.”(¶ 18) In this quote, Mandela gives a dream for an enduring hope and a long lasting…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Mandela’s life he was put in jail for a long period of time. After that he did what he…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nelson Mandela’s contribution and dedication to South Africa’s struggle in achieving freedom and equal rights for every South African led to his popularity and respect in South Africa. In the 1950’s, Mandela began working on ending the apartheid. In 1964, he was arrested and imprisoned for trying to overthrow the government, but continued his fight even from his prison cell. Nelson Mandela presented the people of South Africa with a leader in their struggle, providing the inspiration needed for a drastic change. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration. He planted the idea in the people that there was something they could do about their situation. Nelson Mandela’s role in bringing Apartheid to an end was very important, however, there were many other factors that contributed to the ending of Apartheid.…

    • 1760 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the age of 24 he joined the ANC (African National Congress), it was a “group that sought to establish social and political rights for blacks in South Africa” (Nelson Mandela par. 3). Mandela and his close friend Sisulu founded the “ANC Youth League”. This group just like Marther Luther King Jr. did nonviolent protest to get there point across the government. Because of this many protester were beaten by police and jailed for defying South Africa’s government, this include Mandela as well. After he was release he continue on with his campaign even though he was forbidden to from attend or doing public speaking. Things got worse after the death of 69 protesters who were unarmed were killed by police. The horrific massacre made Mandela decide…

    • 191 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Mandela and Rugby

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Mandela, who was born into apartheid, is well known for being imprisoned for nearly three decades of his life and after being released became the Nation’s President in South Africa. Most of the black population sided with Mandela but most of the white population was Anti-Mandela. He relentlessly tried to use traditional politics to bring the country together but still struggled. When he began to show his love for rugby Mandela was suddenly boo’ed and looked at differently in the eyes of the black population.…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nelson Mandela was the most resilient human rights activist, who fought to destroy the South African apartheid. For most of existence, South Africa’s government was run by racially discriminating members. This system of apartheid discriminated against the overwhelming majority of black people. As society grew, the fight for equality grew…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    At that time, he learned about how wonderful and peaceful life was before the arrival of the Caucasians. Mandela's elders used to say, "Then our people lived peacefully, under the democratic rule…we occupied the land, the forests, the rivers…we set up and operated our own government…then the country was ours" (Benson 16). After hearing his elders constantly reflect on their wonderful past with their peaceful country, Mandela must have known that he never had known what it was like to live that way and also that his country would never be able to experience that kind of lifestyle, unless somebody stood up to the white supremacy. Mandela brought his yearning of a new South Africa to his treason trials right before his life sentence. He read to the people, "Africans want to be paid a living wage. Africans want to perform work which they are capable of doing…want to live where they obtain work…want to own land…be part of the general population…live with their children…we want equal political rights" (Benson 158). Mandela said all of this to whites and blacks at his trial so he would be able to have all people see how horribly his people were being treated. He had learned of a great life from his elders, and so he needed it to become a reality once again. Geoff Tabbner, a radical supporter of Nelson Mandela, recognized his dream and also recognized the changes needed for society. Geoff said, "South Africa has many problems. The nation has 50 percent unemployment and 90 percent of those jobless people are blacks and Asians. That's a reflection of South Africa's depressed economy" (Carlson 4). By dictating to the people, Nelson Mandela united many into learning how poorly the country was because of the whites and allowed them to have a common goal: to achieve a greater South Africa. This is a great contribution to society because it…

    • 1391 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Renegade Quotes

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages

    "For Mandela, politics has always been primarily about enacting stories, about making narratives, primarily about morally exemplary conduct, and only secondarily about ideological vision, more about means rather than ends."…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nelson Mandela Paper

    • 1054 Words
    • 5 Pages

    When most people think of a prominent figure in South Africa one name always comes to mind; Nelson Mandela. Imagine a time in South Africa when, similar to old America, whites held most of the power. Due to the previous conflicts of the European countries in South Africa, there were many Europeans who heavily discriminated against the original African people. This is exactly the type of place Mandela was born into. Born in 1918, his family was part of a common South African clan, where he always enjoyed hearing the elder’s stories. These stories consisted of the black Africans’ struggle against whites during the time of the Boer war (Nelson Mandela Center of Memory). It is because of this individual that the world looks at South Africa the in way it is done today. Nelson Mandela has left his mark on the country, for without him there may not be equality, democracy, and learning opportunities for the black people of South Africa.…

    • 1054 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays